#lenehan

MR LENEHAN: Now, the question which your Honour, through the Registry, asked the parties is one that I am still, regrettably, unable to provide illumination on, that is when is this process likely to be completed.

GORDON J: When are you likely to get instructions about that matter?

MR LENEHAN: I can seek those instructions again.

GORDON J: I think you should.

MR LENEHAN: Yes.

GORDON J: In the circumstances. Do you understand?

MR LENEHAN: Yes, I do, your Honour, yes.

GORDON J: This matter has a long and sorry history. What is the position with the visa?

MR LENEHAN: Your Honour is aware that there was a decision of the AAT on 15 October 2018

GORDON J: That is why I am asking.

MR LENEHAN: [...] I am instructed that that is before the Minister in the sense that a preliminary brief has been sent for his attention and that took place on 4 January this year.

GORDON J: So educate the ill-informed - what does that mean in practical terms?

MR LENEHAN: That is a matter that I have been attempting to clarify this morning, your Honour.

MR LENEHAN: …That then brings me to executive power. Mr Gleeson is quite correct that I was somewhat coy about Ruddock v Vadarlis yesterday. Your Honours will excuse me for that. It was my first appearance before a Full Bench of this Court and I say very, very respectfully that the decision is wrong. In terms of Mr - - -

HAYNE J: Those are submissions that are best made very firmly and very loudly, I think, Mr Lenehan.

FRENCH CJ: Very confidently.

HAYNE J: With absolute confidence.

MR LENEHAN: Perhaps at a later stage, your Honours…

"His head was large, globular and oily; it sweated in all weathers; and his large round hat, set upon it sideways, looked like a bulb which had grown out of another."